Avoid Overdraft Fees:
Simple Steps to Stay Covered
What you need to know about overdrafts, fees and coverage options.
What is an Overdraft?
An overdraft occurs when your account balance goes below zero because there isn’t enough money to cover a transaction. An overdraft fee may occur if Fifth Third pays this transaction for you.1,2
You get to choose how we handle these transactions by making your overdraft coverage selections. Check out the options below to see how you can stay covered.
How to Avoid Overdraft Fees
We’re here to help with simple tools and options that can work together to help you stay
informed and in control of your funds. You can choose one, two or use all three—it’s up to you!
Use Mobile Banking Tools for Account Management
Download the Fifth Third mobile app and sign up for account alerts to stay on top of your balance and transactions. Receive alerts if your balance gets low or overdrawn, so you can take action immediately.
Link an Account: Enroll in Overdraft Protection
Link your checking account to your Fifth Third savings, Equity Flexline or credit card.5,6,7 If needed, available funds can automatically be transferred from your linked account to your checking account.8,9,10,11
You can check your enrollment status and enroll in Overdraft Protection by calling us at 800-972-3030 or visiting your nearest Fifth Third branch.
Understanding the fees
- No Overdraft Protection Transfer Fee for Fifth Third Momentum® Checking, Fifth Third Enhanced Checking® and Fifth Third Preferred Checking®.
- For Fifth Third Essential Checking®, Business Banking, and Commercial Accounts, the Overdraft Protection Transfer Fee is $12.12,13,14,15
Give yourself extra time
Breathe easy with Fifth Third Extra Time®, exclusively with Fifth Third Momentum® Checking.4 When the bank pays for a transaction using Standard or Optional Overdraft Coverage, you get additional time to make a deposit and avoid overdraft fees.
Relax with Free Overdraft Window for New Customers
Just opened a new Fifth Third checking account? We’ve got your back with Free Overdraft Window on all transactions for your first 90 days!2 No hidden fees, no gotchas—it’s one more way we make switching banks easier!
Understanding Overdraft Coverage and Fees
Standard Coverage
Your Fifth Third checking account automatically includes Standard Overdraft Coverage. If your balance is low, we may still cover checks, electronic payments and transfers (ACH), and automatic payments.
We may authorize these transactions, even if you don’t have enough funds but fees may apply, as shown below.
Will an overdraft occur?
Yes
What happens if there’s not enough money to cover a transaction?
Fifth Third may authorize the transaction
What types of transactions are covered?
Checks, ACH
and bill payments
Will a fee be charged?
Yes, there is a fee of $35 per item*
How many fees can be charged per day?
3 overdraft fees per day
($105 total)
Optional Coverage
You can also choose to enroll in Optional Overdraft Coverage for everyday debit card purchases and ATM transactions.3
This gives us permission to consider authorizing purchases, even if your account doesn’t have enough funds. There’s no cost to enroll, but fees may apply (see below).
Will an overdraft occur?
Yes
What happens if there’s not enough money to cover a transaction?
Fifth Third may authorize the transaction
What types of transactions are covered?
One-time debit card purchases and ATM transactions
Will a fee be charged?
Yes, there is a fee of $35 per item*
How many fees can be charged per day?
3 overdraft fees per day
($105 total)
Opt-out of All Coverage
If you prefer we decline transactions instead of paying them, you can opt out of Optional Overdraft Coverage in the app or online and you can change your Standard Overdraft Coverage preferences by calling 800-972-3030 or visiting a Fifth Third branch.
Opting out avoids overdraft fees, but please note that this may result in payments being declined.
Will an overdraft occur?
No
What happens if there’s not enough money to cover a transaction?
Transaction will be declined
What types of transactions are covered?
No transactions are covered
Will a fee be charged?
No overdraft fees
How many fees can be charged per day?
None
No per-item overdraft fees will be charged if your account is overdrawn by $5 or less at the end of the business day and no overdraft fees will be charged on any individual item of $5 or less.
*Excludes Fifth Third Express Banking® accounts.